Autism in History: The Case of Hugh Blair of Borgue

This engaging story of an eighteenth century Scottish laird whose brief arranged marriage was annulled on the grounds of his mental capacity - which seen through modern eyes can be identified as autism. It is a story of villainy and innocence, and provides a fascinating historical context to which the latest theories on autism are applied.

Rab Houston is Professor of Early Modern History at the
University of St Andrews. He has extensive research experience in
the social history of Britain and Europe in the early modern
period. Best known for his work on seventeenth and
eighteenth-century Scotland, his published books include Madness
and Society in Eighteenth-Century Scotland.

Uta Frith is a Professor of Cognitive Development at
University College of London and Deputy Director of the Institute
of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University College of London. She
has pioneered investigations into the mind of the individual with
autism and has a keen interest in the impact of the disorder on
both sufferer and carers. Her book, Autism: Explaining the Enigma
has been translated into many languages.

* Engages readers while enabling them to learn the latest theories
on autism.
* Provides valuable insight into eighteenth-century life and how
that society understood and dealt with mental disorders.
* Represents a unique collaboration between social historian and
psychologist.

"I found this book utterly absorbing and utterly convincing. The
richness of historical detail - testimonies and actual
interrogations - and its telling hold one like a novel. The minute
sifting of the evidence is in the best historico-clinical
tradition, weighing everything carefully, never overstating or
pushing. The interest spreads in all directions - about the way the
law, the culture, and ordinary people thought of mental incapacity
or madness in the eighteenth century. I think Autism in
History will be extremely valuable in many different ways."
Oliver Sacks M.D. Author of Awakenings

"The authors guide us through the case with an expert hand, in a
book written for a wide range of non-specialist readers. What's
more, the book constitutes a unique introduction to autism,
presenting both its scientific and clinical aspects, as well as the
person and their social circumstances. A stimulating read."
Infancia y Aprendizaje, vol 24(2), 2001.

"Rab Houston and Uta Frith provide a splendid case study of
probably autism from eighteenth-century Scotland. Houston and Frith
are to be congratulated in their synthesis of the evidence for Hugh
Blair of Borgue being a case of autism in history. They have done
so in a manner and style that is as cautious as it is thorough."
Stephen Jones, Norfolk Mental Health Care Trust, Social History
of Medicine, vol 14 (2), 2001.

"This is a fascinating book." RH Campbell, Transactions, Vol
75, 2001

"In presenting Hugh Blair, a member of the landowning class in
eighteenth-century Scotland, Autism in History demonstrates
a refreshing lack of squeamishness ... Although Houston and Frith
conclude confidently that they are looking at a case of the same
condition we now call autism, they remain sensitive to the ways
that historical conditions could influence the perception or
presentation of the disorder. In addition, Houston and Frith amass
convincing data to show that Blair was, in fact, autistic. It might
be possible to quibble with their retrospective diagnosis, but they
make a highly plausible case." Jonathan Sadowsky, Castele
Associate Professor of Medical History, Case Western Reserve
University, Journal of the History of the Behavioural Sciences,
Fall 2003

Instructors

Permissions

To apply for permission please send your request to permissions@wiley.com with
specific details of your requirements. This should include, the Wiley title(s), and the specific portion of the content you wish to re-use
(e.g figure, table, text extract, chapter, page numbers etc), the way in which you wish to re-use it, the circulation/print run/number of people
who will have access to the content and whether this is for commercial or academic purposes. If this is a republication request please include details
of the new work in which the Wiley content will appear.